Otedama is a traditional game played by children in Japan.

Otedama is played with tiny sacks of dried rice.

There are several ways of playing otedama.

We played single-hand otedama:

• Start with a pile of 4-5 otedama.

• Throw one otedama in the air.

• While it is in the air, pick up one otedama and put it in your other hand. Shout 'ichi'!

• Catch the flying otedama before it hits the ground!

• Next turn, while the otedama is in the air, pick up two otedama and place them in your other hand.

• Shout 'ni!'

• Next turn, pick up three otedama...shout 'san!'